Locals help ODP teams reach new heights

Three Carson City players helped the Nevada Olympic Development Program, also known as ODP, reach new heights at the Far West Regional Championships held this past weekend in Las Vegas.

Blake Moreland, Adam Updegrove and Uriel Duran all played for teams that became the first ones in Nevada history to reach the tournament's finals. Moreland and Updegrove played major roles in helping Nevada ODP's team for boys born in 1991 to reach the finals. The Nevada ODP team lost to the No. 1 ranked Southern California club in the finals.

Duran played well at forward and midfield for Nevada's ODP team for players born in 1992 that also fell in teh finals to Southern California.

The '91 boys began the tournament with a 5-0 win over Wyoming. Moreland came off the bench to provide an assist in the win.

The team fell to Southern California in a hard fought second game. Moreland played well defensively in the game.

Moreland moved into the starting lineup and continued his excellent play to lift Nevada's offensive play in its next game against New Mexico. Updegrove entered the game as a wing midfielder and with Nevada down 1-0, provided an assist two minutes after he came in to tie the game. Nevada went on to win the game 2-1.

Nevada reached the finals with a 3-1 win over Utah in the semifinals. Updegrove played well defensively against Utah from his midfield wing position.

In the finals, Moreland and Updegrove played well in a rematch with Southern California, but Southern California went on to win 7-1.

Two other Carson City boys played for Nevada ODP team for players born in 1990 in the Far West Regionals, John Nuthall and Brandon Briggs. Briggs, the starting goalie, was injured right before the tournament and was unable to play. Nuthall led the defense, playing well in all three games at center fullback.